DOJ rejects Biden

Hi Global Recap readers,

I hope you had a great weekend.

For me, the weekend got especially spicy with President Biden dropping a bombshell. He, of course, pardoned his son, Hunter Biden—not just for the cases he recently pleaded guilty to, but with a blanket pardon for all his:

Rather specific? However, the Department of Justice just shut this down. 👇

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Biden Pardons Hunter Biden

What’s significant about 2014? It is the year Hunter Biden joined the board of Burisma, igniting accusations that he cashed in on his father’s vice-presidential influence to land the lucrative position.

Critics allege he earned millions using the Biden name.

Here are some key details about the pardon:

The Pardon Decision

President Biden issued a full and unconditional pardon for Hunter Biden, despite previously stating, on multiple occasions, that he would never do so.

• The pardon covers any offenses committed from January 1, 2014, through December 1, 2024.

• Biden cited "raw politics" and a "miscarriage of justice" as reasons for his decision.

• Biden expressed hope that Americans would understand his decision as both a father and a president.

Hunter's Legal Troubles

Hunter Biden faced multiple legal challenges, including federal gun charges and tax evasion.

• He was scheduled to be sentenced on December 12 for gun charges and December 16 for tax evasion.

• Hunter admitted to mistakes during his addiction but maintained his sobriety for over five years.

Shutdown

Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, argued for the dismissal of the indictment, stating that the pardon should lead to an automatic dismissal.

However, Special Counsel David Weiss's office argued that the indictment should not be dismissed despite the pardon.

• The filing stated that all of Hunter Biden's “conceivable argument for why it should be dismissed (…) were determined to be meritless.”

📊 Poll

Here’s a quick poll to gauge what you think about this.

The internet is currently divided on this issue, even among Republicans.

• Many family-oriented Republican parents believe this isn’t too bad, as Biden is simply looking out for his son.

• However, critics argue that the office of the President of the United States should be separated from the President’s duty as a parent.

What are your thoughts?

🇨🇦 CANADA
Canada: 51st State of the US?

In a recent dinner meeting at Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Donald Trump reportedly made a rather audacious (and humorous?) suggestion to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trump told him that if Canada’s economy “can’t survive without ripping off the US” to the tune of $100 billion a year, then maybe Canada should become the 51st state, with Trudeau as its governor. 😰

So what happened?

The Dinner Conversation

Trump and Trudeau had a candid discussion over dinner.

• Trudeau expressed concerns that new tariffs would devastate the Canadian economy.

• Trump responded with a bold joke about Canada becoming the 51st state.

Economic Concerns

Behind this exchange is Trudeau’s concern over the economic fallout from tariffs, fearing significant harm to the Canadian economy.

• This concern is well-founded, as many nations, including Canada, have built their policies on the assumption of enduring free trade.

• Trump’s response, of course, was a mix of humor and a pointed critique.

🇬🇪 GEORGIA
Protests Over EU Membership Suspension

Georgia is in turmoil as thousands of pro-Western Georgians clash with police over the government’s decision to suspend plans for European Union membership until 2028.

The protests have been ongoing for five nights straight, with no signs of slowing down.

Why?

The protests ignited after the ruling Georgian Dream party announced it would halt EU accession talks until the end of 2028.

• This decision is viewed as a tilt away from the West.

• It follows the controversial “foreign agent law” that mirrors a Russian law used to suppress dissent.

• The president, Salome Zourabichvili, supports EU ascension and has encouraged the protests. She accuses the ruling party of moving the country toward a “quasi-Russian model.”

Clashes and Chaos

The demonstrations have been anything but peaceful, with riot police using tear gas and water cannons.

• Protesters hurled “ignited objects” at Parliament, causing a fire.

• At least 42 ministry workers were injured and taken to medical facilities.

US Support

The United States has thrown its weight behind the protesters, condemning the excessive use of force by police.

• State Department spokesman Matthew Miller criticized the ruling party for making Georgia “more vulnerable to the Kremlin.”

Historical Context

Georgia’s desire to join the EU is not new; it formally applied in March 2022, spurred by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

• Nearly 80 percent of Georgians support EU membership.

• About 20 percent of Georgia’s territory remains under Russian military control.

🇸🇾 SYRIA
Russia and Iran Back Assad

Russia and Iran have pledged their unwavering support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as rebel forces make significant advances in the northwest.

Here’s what’s going on in Syria right now.

Rebel Advances

Rebel forces have seized a large swath of land in the west and northwest of Syria.

• The insurgents are a coalition of Turkey-backed secular groups and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group.

• The rebels have taken control of most of Aleppo and are pushing into Hama province.

• Syrian and Russian fighter jets are also striking rebel-held areas, causing civilian casualties.

Groups Involved

Here’s a simple breakdown of the forces involved.

Pro-Government:

• Syrian Arab Army

• Iranian-backed militias

Opposition:

• Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham

• Syrian National Army (Turkish-backed factions)

US-backed:

• Syrian Democratic Forces (Kurdish-led forces)

Others:

• Islamic State (IS) sleeper cells

• Israeli forces conducting airstrikes (targeting Iranian-backed groups)

What a mess.

For those cheering the potential downfall of the dictatorial regime of Syria: this isn’t something to celebrate. There are no winners here for anyone.

• HTS is a former wing of al-Qaeda in Syria.

• Here are some clips that claim to show female sex slaves being taken by them, but others are pushing back, insisting that these women are actually female Kurdish soldiers.

Russia and Iran's Support

Russia and Iran have vowed to support Assad with military and diplomatic aid.

• Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called the rebel offensive a “large-scale aggression by terrorist groups and gangs.”

• Both countries have a history of backing Assad since the Syrian civil war began in 2011.

Civilian Impact

The conflict is taking a heavy toll on civilians, with many casualties reported.

• At least 13 civilians, including eight children, were killed in one strike near Idlib.

• UN-backed humanitarian groups have largely suspended operations in affected areas.

🇳🇱 NETHERLANDS
ICC Chief Blasts Russia, US

Here’s an unusual geopolitical dynamic.

The US and Russia, typically at odds due to the war in Ukraine, seem oddly aligned in their threats against the International Criminal Court (ICC).

• Russia: Angered by Putin’s arrest warrant.

• US: Upset over warrants for Israeli PM Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The ICC president has strongly criticized both Russia and a US senator over these threats and the targeting of ICC officials.

Russia's Arrest Warrants

Russia has issued arrest warrants for ICC's chief prosecutor Karim Khan and several judges. This fiery exchange took place during the ICC's annual meeting, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the court and powerful nations.

• These warrants are in response to the ICC's investigation and arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.

• Judge Tomoko Akane condemned these actions as "shameful," emphasizing that the officials were merely fulfilling their judicial duties.

US Senator's Comments

US Senator Lindsey Graham has also criticized the ICC, calling it a "rogue and politically motivated organization."

• Graham's comments followed the ICC's arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

• He expressed confidence that Donald Trump's incoming administration would respond forcefully to the court's actions.

Global Reactions

The arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have sparked mixed reactions.

• President Joe Biden called the warrants "outrageous" and vowed to stand with Israel.

• France and Austria have expressed reluctance but acknowledged their obligations to arrest Netanyahu.

• Germany and Italy have also shown hesitance, while Hungary has outright refused to comply.

Internal Pressures

The ICC's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, faces internal pressures amid allegations of misconduct.

• Khan has been accused of coercing a female aide into a sexual relationship and groping her.

• The Assembly of States Parties has announced an external probe into these allegations.

Some believe that Khan recently issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant to distract from these personal allegations. But does this hold any weight?